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Phillies avoid arbitration with infielder Frandsen

Phillies avoid arbitration with infielder Frandsen

9/29/12: Kevin Frandsen charges to make a nice barehanded stop and fires an off-balance throw to first to retire Rob Brantly in the sixth

By Todd Zolecki
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MLB.com |

PHILADELPHIA -- The Phillies signed Kevin Frandsen with little to no fanfare as a Minor League free agent in November 2011.

It could end up being a big signing for them come 2013.

After a strong couple of months to close the 2012 season with the Phils, Frandsen agreed Tuesday to a one-year, $850,000 contract to avoid salary arbitration. The deal includes incentives and performance bonuses.

Left-hander Antonio Bastardo and outfielder Nate Schierholtz are the team's only other remaining players eligible for arbitration.

Frandsen's signing is noteworthy because he could see significant playing time next season at third base along with Freddy Galvis. Placido Polanco will not be back next season, and the crop of free-agent third basemen is remarkably thin, so the Phillies might try to upgrade in the outfield and hope Frandsen and Galvis can handle the load.

Frandsen hit well with the Phils. He compiled a .338 average with 10 doubles, three triples, two home runs, 14 RBIs and an .834 on-base-plus-slugging percentage in 55 games. In 228 career games before last season, Frandsen hit just .243 with a .636 OPS.

Todd Zolecki is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.